Entered: 10/04/2015
Status: Adopted
Age: 5, Born 04/06/2010
Color: Black/White
Weight: 51 lbs.
Gender: Altered Male
Location: Lutherville-Timonium, MD
Health: UTD, HW-, losing to a healthy weight
Temperament: Good with adults, unknown with children, good with other dogs, unknown with cats
Original: “All of this is a very new experience for Bailey, but he is taking baby steps toward feeling more comfortable with all of the changes in his life.”
Bailey’s Maryland owners were caught in a terrible situation that required them to find their much loved pup a new home within 48 hours. As heartbreaking as this was, MAESSR assured them that a wonderful home could be found for their precious boy. This was a devastating development for Bailey as well, who entered his foster home confused and despondent.
With his original home an apartment where he was taken outside for daily walks, Baily now must relearn to signal when he needs to go out. Left to his own decision-making, he will do his business anywhere. His former owners had a communication system with him that worked, but it was not one that would easily translate to another owner. Until a new system is established, Bailey’s foster family takes him out frequently on a lead and tells him to “pee and poop.” He responds to this command, but he would benefit from a beginner’s training class for older dogs.
This abrupt change in living situations for Bailey, regardless of how nice it might be, has turned his world upside down. During his first week he remained reluctant to leave his crate. Occasionally he displayed a “leave me alone because I am not happy” grumble, but he is coming along and finally eating. Eating also has been an adjustment as Bailey always had his meat ground, not sliced or chopped. He is now eating trout and salmon kibble. The food was first served in his crate; now his food and water are outside of the crate and he is eating and drinking at will. Bailey has a toy in his crate but, so far, has not shown interest.
During his first week, Bailey and the resident dog would walk past each other without interaction. The resident pup initially growled when Bailey sat next to her mom on the sofa, but Bailey held his own and it was over. He has a very big voice for his size!
Although Bailey enjoys walks, he does pull and will need some guidance for proper walking commands and manners. So far he has met only adults on his walks and has done well. It was reported that he had human and dog friends that he interacted with at his former home.
Bailey was a good passenger traveling to the Pasadena Springerfest where he received his microchip. While very reluctant at first, later in the day he left the safety of the back of the SUV and joined everyone. All of this is a very new experience for Bailey, but he is taking baby steps toward feeling more comfortable with all of the changes in his life.
Despite a report that Bailey does not like the vet, he did really well for his MAESSR visit. The vet sat on the floor with him and Bailey leaned into his foster mom. The vet got up, took the lead, and Bailey went happily with him. He was very co-operative with everyone. What a good boy!
After his first week in his foster home, Bailey and his foster sister spent a weekend boarding at the vet’s. Bailey stayed in a quiet area but played outside in the supervised play area with his foster sister and other dogs. Reports are that all went well. He seemed happy to see his foster mom, who senses that he is generally feeling better. While he still retreats to his crate, he comes out to see where his foster mom is if she’s out of sight. Progress was made recently when he came out and sat next to his foster mom on the sofa. Bailey is slowly becoming more comfortable in a new home; he happily met one of the neighbors, as well.
His foster mom is not sure how Bailey will react to grooming since this handsome boy came to her already groomed.
Bailey appears to have a moderate energy level and would do well in an adult household. He is smart, alert, and just wants to be loved. This sweet boy is a work-in-progress…keep Bailey in your thoughts as he adjusts to his new life.